That Council
investigates the feasibility of using fireworks as a closing finale to the 2018
Lunar New Year Festival.

Following advice from
the St George Local Area Command, SES and St John Ambulance, Council officers
recommend that fireworks do not feature as part of the 2018 Lunar New Year
Festival due to concerns for public safety.

4. At the MEAC
meeting on 13 December 2017, the Committee requested:

That to ensure the overall safety for attendees, Council staff,
volunteers, contractors and suppliers, all recommended stall holders are sent
an information pack outlining compliance requirements for food safety and Work,
Health Safety as well as the penalties to stall holders should Council officers
deem any non-compliance issues at the event.

Council has confirmed all stall holders in writing as to
Council’s acceptance of their Expression of Interest to be a stall holder
at this event. Information packs will be sent to all stall holders by the end
of January 2018.

5. At
the MEAC meeting on 13 December 2017, the Committee requested:

That Council officers hold meetings with recommended food stall
holders as required, to ensure understanding of compliance requirements prior
to the event date.

Council’s Events and Environmental Health Officers have held
meetings with recommended food stall holders on the 9 January 2018 to confirm
and ensure their understanding of compliance requirements for Lunar New Year
Festival 2018. Council received signed agreements from each stall holder
that they will comply with Council’s requirements for Work Health and
Safety.

Financial Implications

6. Within operational
budget.

Community Engagement

7. Community engagement will be conducted via the following channels:

a. Event notification letters will be hand delivered to
directly affected businesses at least two weeks prior to the event date, as
part of Council’s usual event management process

b. Press releases

c. Advertisements across both Chinese Media and The Leader
newspaper (pre-event and post-event)

d. Social media postings on Georges River Council’s
Facebook page and Twitter

That Georges River Council’s Major
Events Advisory Committee (MEAC) receives and notes this report on the
upcoming Australia Day Festival to be held at Carss Bush Park on 26 January
2018.

Executive Summary

1. To celebrate
Australia Day 2018, Georges River Council will host the much-loved Australia
Day event in Carss Bush Park, Carss Park. Over 25,000 residents are expected to
come together to celebrate our national day, reflecting on the nation's
diversity and achievements, as well as our country’s past and future.

2. Official
proceedings will commence at 10:00am and includes a Welcome to Country, the
Australia Day Ambassador visit, announcement of the 2018 Georges River Council
Australia Day Award winners, Citizenship Ceremony and speeches.

3. There will be a
huge line-up of performers on stage, food, children’s activities and
market stalls in addition to amusement rides and a fireworks finale at 9.00pm.

2018
Australia Day Festival Event Details:

Date:
Friday, 26 January 2018

Location:
Carss Bush Park

Time:
10.00am-9.00pm

Admission:
FREE

Background

4. The Australia Day
Festival 2018 program will be presented at the meeting.

5. Australia Day Festival 2018 Ambassador is Susie Maroney. Ms
Maroney has trained within the local area at Carss Park. Through her sporting
career, she has set numerous world records as an Australian swimmer. Outside of
swimming, Ms Maroney has been very active in supporting various causes
including roles as Ambassador for the Leukaemia foundation, Ambassador for the
Asthma Foundation and Patron for the Starlight Foundation.

6. Australia Day Festival 2018 Award winners will be invited as VIPs
on stage.

7. Confirmed sponsors
for Australia Day Festival 2018:

· The Leader $10,000

· Aussie Home Loans $2,500

8. Australia Day
Festival 2018 Master of Ceremonies (MC) is a high profile personality Anthony
Maroon from Triple M. His biography is attached as attachment #1.

Anthony Maroon has been
one of Triple M Sydney's most popular and enduring on air personalities now for
more than 6 years. His popularity and professionalism is proven in Maroon
having topped the ratings in his time slot on more than 7 occasions during his
time at Triple M. Prior to joining Triple M, Maroon spent 5 years calling NRL
games for WIN TV in Wollongong.

In addition to this over
almost a decade Maroon has run his own Trivia and Promotions company and become
one of the most successful Trivia Night hosts in Sydney. Maroon has Hosted
major events such as South Sydney's high profile "Red and Green
Ball", St Vincent de Paul Society events, AVESCO Super V8 Fan Days and
countless sports lunches for both amateur and professional sporting clubs and
associations.

Also in the corporate
entertainment arena Maroon has put together and Hosted trivia nights for many
conferences and corporate dinners. On many occasions he has interviewed stars
such as Jimmy Barnes, INXS, Garth Tander, Steve Mortimer, LIVE and many others.

All this experience has
moulded a performer uniquely placed to handle the demanding role of event MC.
His expertise in media and producing trivia events add many dimensions to what
he has to offer the corporate and sporting event industries.